Citizenship is a fundamental right that ensures the protection of an individual’s rights, freedoms, and privileges in a country. Indian citizenship is considered one of the most coveted in the world, as it comes with a host of benefits such as access to education, healthcare, and the right to vote. The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) provides a fast-track path to citizenship for persecuted religious minorities who have been left behind in the countries formed during partition. In this article, I aim to delve into the reasons why the CAA is a necessary and constitutional measure that serves to protect the rights and well-being of these persecuted individuals and fulfill India’s duty as a mother nation.
The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is a new law passed by the Indian government to help religious minorities who have been persecuted in neighboring countries that were once part of India. The law applies to all religious minorities, including Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian people, who have suffered because of their religion in countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.
One of the strongest arguments in favor of CAA is that it corrects a past mistake. India is like a mother to all the nearby countries, and it is her duty to help her children who are in trouble. After India was split into two countries in 1947, millions of people had to leave their homes and move to different places. Muslims were given the chance to go to Pakistan, but many non-Muslim minorities were left behind and treated badly in the new countries. CAA gives these persecuted minorities a chance to become citizens of India and find safety in a country that is responsible for protecting them.
Another important point is that CAA does not break the rules of equality and secularism in India, which are guaranteed by the Indian Constitution. CAA is not about taking away anyone’s citizenship, but about providing a faster way for persecuted religious minorities to become citizens. The law applies to all persecuted religious minorities from specified countries, regardless of their religion, so it is not discriminatory.
It is crucial to understand that the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) does not change or restrict the existing methods of acquiring Indian citizenship. This includes the processes of naturalization, registration and descent, among others. Moreover, it is important to mention that the CAA does not affect the citizenship rights of any existing Indian citizen, including Muslims. This means that they continue to enjoy the same rights and privileges as before. If Muslims are included under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), they may face challenges in returning to their home country in the event of a change in circumstances. On the other hand, persecuted minorities are unlikely to return due to the harsh conditions they may encounter, if they return.
In conclusion, CAA is a necessary and fair law that protects the rights and well-being of religious minorities who have been persecuted in neighboring countries that were once part of India. It is in line with India’s duty as a mother country to help her children, and it does not break the rules of equality and secularism. CAA is a step forward in correcting a past mistake and fulfilling India’s responsibility as a mother country to protect its minority citizens.
